wildflowcr-ross:
‘ Don’t be sad, go get a tattoo ’ were words Naomi lived by. Her small frame was covered in all sorts of art, from her ankles to her collar bone. Nothing really made sense tattoo wise, her skin was filled with small tattoos all telling a different story. Her favorite was the rose on her left hip, despite the uneven lines and splotchy coloring, it was her favorite. Most people would assume it was terrible cheap tattoo from a drunk birthday bygone, but Naomi was proud to have the first tattoo Maverick Strickland had given someone else.
She pulled her bike up to the tattoo shop, locking it onto a nearby street sign. It had been awhile since she last got a tattoo, never in Brighton. Her friends had said good things about this specific shop. Her nerves calmed slightly as she saw the small hand written sign in the window that read ‘walk-ins welcome’. What’s the fun in having an appointment anyways?
She hadn’t even noticed him when she walked in, she didn’t even realize he was there until she heard the nickname. No one had called her that in a very long time. Unlike Maverick, Naomi wasn’t hiding her excitement “ Maverick! ” She called out, a massive smile erupting on her face. She moved to meet him in the middle.
“ Hell- I can ask you the same question. I go to the uni in town. And just- ugh, ” she let out a small chuckle, her brain unable to make a single coherent thought, “ I missed you so much.” She finished, smiling warmly. She slowly stuck her hand out, needing to touch him in some way to make sure he was really here and not some figment of her imagination. Her fingers left a ghostly touch on his bicep. Her heart rate rose as she left her hand on his arm for maybe a bit too long. The muscles in his arm felt alien to her. Everything about him seemed alien; this wasn’t the same man she had watched leave at the Sydney airport all those years ago. But his eyes, those hadn’t changed. No matter what he could do with his appearance, Naomi would always recognize her Maverick’s eyes. They had seemed to only get better, now full of so much more life; that made her happy.
it was so strange to share his space with her again. it was so beyond mind boggling to see her in the flesh. oh how he wanted to pull her into his arms and taste her lips like he had years ago. though, he was aware that if he did then it would be so uncalled for. he couldn’t help but flicker his eyes down to her lips. his smile grew at the sound of her voice, the cute little australian accent that made him feel at home.
“ bainbridge? since when? ” his tone was shocked, the smile on his lips growing wider at the feeling of her hand against his skin. moving his own hand he placed it over hers, calloused fingers brushing over baby soft skin. “ shit nomi, i promise i missed you more, ” though he wasn’t completely sure about that, he just knew that no other girl compared to her. he didn’t know if it was because she was his first love, or if she was his only love. he was fully aware that he wasn’t the same guy she saw board the airplane back in sydney. his hair was longer, it was blonde, and his tattoos had completely consumed his body. his lower arms and a little bit above his elbow remained bare, but other than that he was covered.
“ i got to bainbridge. i’ve been going since i got here. i’m almost done with my undergrad. truthfully i’m thinking about getting my masters. ” he couldn’t quite remember if he ever disclosed which college he was attending when he left home. either way, he felt this was a miracle that she was here. “ you look really nice, ” he spoke without thinking. though, he didn’t feel that he had to hide anything from her. he didn’t want to be nosy, but he couldn’t help but want to know if she was seeing anyone. it was fine if she was, but if she wasn’t then that meant he didn’t have to think as her ex-boyfriend. “ so, are you living here with someone or are you living on campus ? ” that was the slyest way of asking that question, but he was sure she read right through it. he spoke as he walked towards his little cubby, ushering her forwards.














